By Ahmadullah Muhajir
In times when war and violence dominate, many people focus only on the visible aspects of events and pay little attention to the fundamental causes and objectives behind them. Yet, understanding the true reasons behind events plays an important role in maintaining morale and preventing the influence of negative propaganda.
In any case, Pakistan, much like during certain periods of the republic, assumed that with the rise of the current system to power, Afghanistan would fall completely under its control due to inexperience and the lack of governance skills. It also expected to exploit certain figures left from the republic, creating conflicts between them and the new system to foster instability. From this situation, it anticipated gaining billions of dollars every year.
They thought that corruption had taken such deep roots in the previous structure that controlling it would be beyond the new system’s ability. But the changes unfolded contrary to these expectations. They did not expect that corruption and corrupt figures would be removed so quickly, or that Afghanistan would begin developing relations with countries such as Iran, Uzbekistan, Russia, and other Central Asian states. They also did not anticipate a reduction in trade monopolies, the temporary closure of borders when needed, or a foreign policy that aimed to build ties with Russia, China, and even India.
On the other hand, some changes were entirely beyond their expectations. Some embassies became active again, efforts were made to expand trade with countries like Bangladesh, domestic factories were established, internal production strengthened, and the country moved toward economic self-reliance. Attention was also given to fundamental structures, water resource management, road development, building military capacities, and restoring security systems. All these steps indicated a direction that was completely different from the initial expectations.
As a result of these changes, Pakistan was left in a state of confusion and anxiety, with many of its actions resembling reactions rather than a deliberate plan. This situation shows that regional dynamics can shift contrary to the expectations of some actors.
In such conditions, what matters most is unity, coordination, awareness, and resilience among the people. Any society that is strong from within and fully understands the situation will suffer less from external threats.
Ultimately, recognizing the true roots of these changes, preserving national unity, and strengthening the spirit of resistance are the crucial factors that can enable a nation to stand firm against external pressures. Without awareness and empathy, any society can be harmed by propaganda and crises; but with insight and unity, the future path can be pursued with confidence and certainty.